For cards that earn points instead of cash back, I used myReasonable Redemption Values (RRVs) to estimate the rebate value as a cash back percentage. For example, if a card earns 5X on all spend and theReasonable Redemption Valueof those points is .4 cents each, then the card earns an estimated 2% rebate on all spend. This doesnot meanthat you will get only 2% in value from your points, you may get much more… or less. Reasonable Redemption Values are intended to be an estimate of a reasonable value that you can expect to get from your points. In real life, the value you get from your points depends entirely upon how you use them.

To account for annual fees, I assumed a total of $30,000 spent per year and subtracted the annual fee from the total rebate value before calculating the overall percent rebate offered by each card. Mostly only cards offering rebates above 2% are shown here, but I did include two popular no-fee 2% cash back cards to anchor the list.

This card earns 2X for Amtrak spend, and 1X elsewhere. Points are worth up to 2.9% each towards Amtrak travel. Obviously this is a good choice only for those who intend to travel Amtrak frequently. See: Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card review.

This card earns 3X for Amtrak spend, 2X for qualifying travel, and 1X elsewhere. Points are worth up to 2.9% each towards Amtrak travel. Obviously this is a good choice only for those who intend to travel Amtrak frequently. See: Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card review.

Redeem your miles for any travel expense. Base earning is 1.5X, but you will get an additional bonus through the BOA Preferred Rewards program. Platinum Honors status (75% bonus) requires $100K or more invested in BOA and Merrill Edge / Merrill Lynch.

Redeem for cash back. Base earning is 1.5%, but you will get an additional bonus through the BOA Preferred Rewards program. Platinum Honors status (75% bonus) requires $100K or more invested in BOA and Merrill Edge / Merrill Lynch.

* Even though this card has a $95 annual fee, it has an annual $100 in airline fee reimbursements so I assumed the effective annual fee to be $0 for the purpose of calculating the rebate % column.

Combine with a free USAA Bank checking account and direct deposit in order to earn 2.5% cash back on all spend! Unfortunately, you do need to be a member of USAA to get this card (which means you or a family member needs to be active or retired military). Also, this card is currently available only in select states.

This no-fee card earns 1.5 points per dollar for all spend. Pair with a premium card such as the Sapphire Preferred, Ink Business Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve in order to unlock the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel programs.

This no-fee card earns 1.5 points per dollar for all spend. Pair with a premium card such as the Sapphire Preferred, Ink Business Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve in order to unlock the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel programs.

This card earns 3x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 2x points at US gas stations; and 1x points on other purchases. Key feature: Use your Card 30 or more times on purchases in a billing period and get 50% more points on those purchases less returns and credits. This means that the card earns at least 1.5 points per dollar on all spend as long as you use the card 30 or more times per billing cycle. Transfer points to airline miles for best value. Amex Business Platinum cardholders can get 2 cents per point value when using points to pay for flights within preferred airline (or for a premium ticket).

Redeem your miles for any travel expense. Base earning is 1.5 points per dollar, but you will get an additional bonus through the BOA Preferred Rewards program. Platinum status (50% bonus) requires $50K to $100K invested in BOA and Merrill Edge / Merrill Lynch.

This card earns 2x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x) and 1x points on other purchases. Key feature: Use your Card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and get 20% more points on those purchases less returns and credits. This means that the card earns at least 1.2 points per dollar on all spend as long as you use the card 20 or more times per billing cycle. Transfer points to airline miles for best value. Amex Business Platinum cardholders can get 2 cents per point value when using points to pay for flights within preferred airline (or for a premium ticket).

[…] You’ll find more good options here: Best rewards for everyday spend. […]

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3 years ago

Guest

Carole

I currently have all the cards your recommend, except for the Discover Miles. I use the Freedom appropriately, as well as the Sapphire, Ink and Arrival. I put the maximum amount in my Prepaid Target every month. I take at least 2 international trips a year, in addition to several domestic ones.
In addition, my husband has most of the same cards. Both my husband and I have been turned down, occasionally, the reason given as having applied for too many cards. Should I get the Discover Miles card?

How high are your airline mileage and/or transferable points balances? If you fly internationally a few times per year in business or first class and pay with miles, then you’ll want to make sure that your balances are high enough to support several more such trips. Discover card rewards aren’t the ideal currency for those types of trips. If you want to use rewards for coach travel or just cash back then the Discover card can make a lot of sense, especially if you put a lot of spend on it the first year. I don’t think there’s any reason to get two of those cards though. Instead, get one for yourself and get an authorized user card for your husband (or vice versa)

Arrival $89 annual fee can be waived if you spend a lot. I just got both my wife’s and mine waived within the past month. Both arrival cards are over 80K each yearly. I also got my flexperks annual fee waived by using over 35K.

I mainly use Fia for AGC purchase so I will not put too much monthly charge on my two arrivals, and my BOA travel(2.62%). I also have Chase freedoms, Ink plus and flexperks. I only used ink plus on Staples/office depot/max. I am not going to pay $95 for Ink plus if I cannot waive annaul fee by end of June. I used flexpoint for RBs sometimes. I charged old blue cash within 45K each year ( try to under Amex radar).

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3 years ago

Guest

Jonathan

Update:

I am going to spenf both of my arrivel+ points and close both cards at March & April since there is no incentive for me to use them anymore. I have 2 BoA 2.625% travel cards. Mainly use for daily spend, and new bank account deposit. I also a Fia Amex card which is no use for now due to useless Serve cards. I also have 1 Fia Visa and 1 Fia Mastercard which I haven’t use them for years. Not sure if I will get three new Fidelity Visas after June.

I have Fidelity Amex and Arrival+.
Arrival+ annual fee is not refund for 2nd year renewal. Its not worth keeping Arrival+ card as recovering cost of annual fee is very high.
You have not listed Capital One Venture and Fidelity Visa. I am debating on applying for one of below to replace Arrival+ for MS activity.
Any comment, recommendation?

1. Capital One Venture
down side is it will pull credit report from all 3 credit agency and no 5% bonus on travel resumption. Good part is, its universally accepted as its a Master cad and 40,000 signon bonus.
2. Citi® Double Cash Card
downside is few transactions are identified as cash advance or no reward earning. Good part, no annual fee.
3. BOA Travel Rewards with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards
downside is to make it meaningful 2%+ reward, one need to have 50k+ asset with Merrill Lynch for at least first 3 months of the year.
4. Fidelity Visa:
downside, 2% after 15k spend.

Thanks. You’re right. I’ve updated the page to indicate that the card is no longer available to new accounts. The uPromise card is very different. It is good for certain things, but not a top card for everyday spend.

I’m not a fan of earning Orbucks rewards through a credit card. You can only redeem Orbucks for hotels, and not all hotels are available for that. You’re much better off with a 2% cash back card or a 2X bank points card.

Hi,
Just recently got debt free from CCs, but would like to begin using CCs responsibly and begin to earn points/miles .. I have next to no points/miles with any program.

Cards i currently have are SPG(personal), Amex Blue Cash Everyday, Chase SP, Discover IT, Chase BA, and Citi Preferred. Three areas most spending is done are groceries, gas, and amazon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[…] There are many reasons you may want to increase credit card spend. You may need to meet spend requirements on several new credit cards in order to earn huge signup bonuses. Or, perhaps you want to earn high level elite status or other big spend bonuses, as I do with Delta. Or, perhaps you simply want to earn extra rewards using cards with big category bonuses, or big rewards for everyday spend. […]

I like my Hilton Honors Surpress American Express card. I get 6 points for every dollar I spend in restaurants, grocery stores & gas stations & three points for all other spending. This card automatically gives me Gold status at Hilton Hotels.

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1 year ago

Guest

Cindy Rodriguez

I have the Amex Gold card. I want a credit card for everyday spending and get rewarded and not get cash back for business. I like to save my points and travel once a year. Do you recommend the Hilton Honors Surpress American Express card for this daily purchases?

Good question! This is due to the fact that I include the card’s annual fee. That lowers the card’s effective rebate. I wrote “To account for annual fees, I assumed a total of $30,000 spent per year and subtracted the annual fee from the total rebate value before calculating the overall percent rebate offered by each card.” This brings the SPG rebate to just under 2%.

[…] better for you than the SPG card. For examples of cards with great rewards for all spend, see: Best rewards for everyday spend. And, for examples of cards with great rewards within categories of spend, see: Best category […]

[…] Profit: A number of credit cards offer rewards worth more than 1.87 cents per dollar. Use one of those cards to profit while paying taxes (and you don’t have to pay taxes on that profit!). See: Best rewards for everyday spend. […]

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1 year ago

Guest

Abby Williams

Wouldn’t the Chase Freedom Unlimited be 2.25% not 2.4%? 1.5% for all charge and 1.5% if redeemed for travel (paired with Chase Reserve). Probably a bit less after deducting annual fee? Thanks

I’m basing it on the Reasonable Redemption Value of Ultimate Rewards points = 1.82. This assumes that you’ll transfer points to high value partners rather than redeem for travel at 1.5 cents per point. So, without an annual fee, the FU card offers 1.82 x 1.5 = 2.73%. Then, when we factor in the $95 annual fee on the estimated $30K annual spend, we drop the % by about .31% ($95 / $30,000).

[…] This is a great find if you live near one of these malls as it provides an opportunity for up to $2500 in fee-free spend per day through Saturday. Most Macerich Malls will require ID and record your information if you are buying any substantial quantity. However, it’s an easy way to pick up some miles or cash back. I’m not aware of any cards that offer a bonus on spend at Macerich Malls, so it would be wise to choose a card that earns a high return on everyday spend. […]

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